India hosts BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit in Guwahati to boost regional cooperation
New Delhi, September 15. India hosted the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit from September 9 to 11 in Guwahati, Assam, bringing together over 80 emerging leaders from the Bay of Bengal region to strengthen regional cooperation and development.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs Ministry on September 15, the summit, organised in association with the Bharat Scouts & Guides, was inaugurated by Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya. It formed part of the 21-point action plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, aimed at enhancing engagement among member countries.
Participants from all seven BIMSTEC nations represented diverse sectors including politics, business, culture, and civil society. The three-day deliberations focused on building leadership suited for the 21st century – resilient, inclusive, and responsive to diversity. Sessions on entrepreneurship, design thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration encouraged the development of sustainable and socially responsive solutions.
The event also featured cultural exchanges and country-sharing sessions, which helped deepen mutual understanding and forge networks of trust. Outcomes included improved communication and collaboration skills, innovative social business ideas, and new frameworks for future cooperation across the region.
The summit underscored the strategic role of Northeast India as a bridge connecting the socio-economic development of the Bay of Bengal community. It also reflected India’s Neighborhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions, aimed at empowering youth to drive policies, tackle shared challenges, and contribute to the prosperity of the region.
